NBA commissioner Adam Silver, from left, presents the most valuable player award to James Harden, of the Houston Rockets, as Harden’s mother Monja Willis looks on at the NBA Awards on Monday, June 25, 2018, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Adam Devine, left, and Lou Williams, of the Los Angeles Clippers, winner of the 6th Man award, pose in the press room at the NBA Awards on Monday, June 25, 2018, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

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Dwane Casey, current head coach of the Detroit Pistons, accepts the coach of the year award for his work with the Toronto Raptors at the NBA Awards on Monday, June 25, 2018, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

NBA player James Harden, of the Houston Rockets, poses in the press room with the most valuable player award at the NBA Awards on Monday, June 25, 2018, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Lou Williams, of the Los Angeles Clippers, accepts the 6th Man award at the NBA Awards on Monday, June 25, 2018, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Dwane Casey, current head coach of the Detroit Pistons, poses in the press room with the coach of the year award for his work with the Toronto Raptors at the NBA Awards on Monday, June 25, 2018, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

NBA player James Harden, of the Houston Rockets, left, winner of the most valuable player award, appears in the press room with his teammate P.J. Tucker at the NBA Awards on Monday, June 25, 2018, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Lou Williams, of the Los Angeles Clippers, poses in the press room with the 6th Man award at the NBA Awards on Monday, June 25, 2018, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

NBA player James Harden, of the Houston Rockets, arrives at the NBA Awards on Monday, June 25, 2018, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Lou Williams, of the Los Angeles Clippers, accepts the 6th Man award at the NBA Awards on Monday, June 25, 2018, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

NBA commissioner Adam Silver, left, presents the most valuable player award to James Harden, of the Houston Rockets, at the NBA Awards on Monday, June 25, 2018, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Lou Williams, of the Los Angeles Clippers, poses in the press room with the 6th Man award at the NBA Awards on Monday, June 25, 2018, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Dwane Casey, current head coach of the Detroit Pistons, accepts the coach of the year award for his work with the Toronto Raptors at the NBA Awards on Monday, June 25, 2018, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

NBA player James Harden, of the Houston Rockets, left, winner of the most valuable player award, poses in the press room with his mother Monja Willis at the NBA Awards on Monday, June 25, 2018, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Lou Williams, of the Los Angeles Clippers, accepts the 6th Man award at the NBA Awards on Monday, June 25, 2018, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

NBA player James Harden, of the Houston Rockets, poses in the press room with the most valuable player award at the NBA Awards on Monday, June 25, 2018, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Lou Williams, of the Los Angeles Clippers, poses in the press room with the 6th Man award at the NBA Awards on Monday, June 25, 2018, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

It was only fitting for James Harden to win the first NBA MVP award of his career in the Los Angeles. The Houston Rockets guard was born in Bellflower, Calif. and played basketball at Artesia High School in Lakewood.

It was a career year for Williams, who averaged 22.6 points and 5.3 assists per game. He earned 97 of the first place votes. Eric Gordon of the Rockets, who won the award last year, had three votes. Fred VanVleet of the Toronto Raptors had one vote.

Williams has previously won the award after the 2014-15 season as a member of the Raptors.

For the Clippers, it is the third time in the last five seasons that a member of its team won the award. Jamal Crawford won the award after the 2013-14 and 2015-16 seasons. Crawford, who spent the past season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, was the 2017-18 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year recipient.

Dwane Casey was named coach of the year after coaching the Raptors to a 59-23 season and the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

James H. Williams joined the Southern California News Group in 2013 with a passion for sports, social media and journalism that has led to his role as a Digital Sports Producer. During his down time, he finds himself on social media providing scores and stats on local and professional sports. When he is out at a game, he can be found roaming the sidelines and the snack bar at halftime.